Greetings from Moscow-
As promised, I'm happy to provide one of those rare
unbiased, first-hand, completely factual posts to the
list using my real name. The US Embassy has now had a
few weeks of experience with the DHL delivery of the
visa. In every situation of ladies staying at my
flats, the visa was delivered to the flat by DHL the
morning or early afternoon on the day after the
interview.
I have a good friend who is the manager of DHL (we
spent many a night frolicking at an establishment I
will call the "Thirsty Goose" to avoid any
non-pertinent threads....oh, those good ol' days of
Moscow decadent fun.....but I digress) and he had told
me previously that he would get the visas to me the
next day if it was urgent. I had been planning on the
second day after the interview. After speaking with
him and a friend at the Embassy, I'm confident all my
guests will receive their visas at their flat the day
after the interview. It will take 3-7 days, on
average, if it is going outside of Moscow. I know of
only one delivery to a hotel and it was received two
days after the interview.
Of course, as always, don't buy any airline tickets
until the visa is in hand. The cost is usually no
different if you buy it a week before you think/hope
she will leave, or the day before the flight, or day
of; and I know of a respected travel agent nearby who
will work hard to get the best price and can handle
credit card payments with you guys over the phone and
via email. All pieces of the puzzle to get your lady
to you as quickly as possible have worked flawlessly
so far over the past few weeks. As with the stock
market, past performance is no guarantee of future
results.
Thus, I believe we can all consider this very good
news. I've had three ladies get approved for visas in
the past two days. One had the interview yesterday
and will leave for the States tomorrow. It feels good
to help, no matter how small our role. There is one
thing that any of you with an interview on a Friday
should keep in mind. DHL doesn't work on Saturday or
Sunday. If you are in this spot, let me know and I'll
give you the contact info to pick up your visa on
Saturday at an office near my flats. That way, you
can greet your lady at the airport on Sunday, instead
of a few days later on Tuesday.
And, in something equally important to me, my little
princess Angelika is 15 months old today (Dec 20 here
in Moscow.....and 4:30am, so I better go to sleep).
Best Regards,
Moscow Rick
For information on the most respected, most used, and
only American owned and managed apartment rental
service in Moscow, contact:
MoscowApartments@Yahoo.com
